Substation Fitter Review

I am a trainee Substation Fitter, I am in my first year and spend a mixture of time either at the training centre or at my designated sites. I mix with both my on site team and my fellow apprentices, this allows me to meet, interact and work with many different people. I am responsible for completing my work on time and to a good standard and for positively representing National Grid. At the training centre I take part in many different courses which allow me to gain unique experience and learn a lot of new things which I had never known before. On site I get to take part and experience many different jobs that take place on the substations.

Since starting my apprenticeship, I have gained many new skills and new qualifications. The training courses are interesting and engaging. I have learned how to do many new things and have gained new qualifications which allow me to do a lot of different tasks. I have learned a lot of practical and theoretical skills such as hand and fitting techniques and electrical and mechanical principles.

I find that there is a lot of work to do on the programme and it can get quite stressful for me sometimes, mainly due to it being a lot of new things to take in and remember. however, it is not overly difficult and can be done, there is also a lot of support available. There a re many really great people in the company who are there to help you out if needed. I felt welcome and like I belong in the company as soon as I started. It was not quite how I expected it but in a good way, I expected everyone to be really strict whereas this is not the case. Everybody is helpful and kind. So far, I have really enjoyed my time with the company and am really happy that I am part of it.

I always feel like I am part of the company and that my role is important, the fact that I am a new apprentice does not make a difference to how I am treated. Everybody is accepting of who you are as a person and they do not discriminate against anyone for any reason. When I take part in external volunteering tasks for the company, I am rewarded and made to feel like I had helped a lot. I am always involved where needed and am never left out.

My programme is well structured. In the first weeks of my apprenticeship I had already completed numerous courses and gained qualifications. The course is structure to allow you plenty of time to have enough training and on site experience. There is enough time on my programme for personal study and work when at the training centre and on site. As an apprentice, I have been given a mentor, I am able to go to my mentor with questions and concerns about anything. Every 10 weeks we have a review to monitor our progress and it allows time for us to bring up any queries or concerns about anything. Overall, the programme is well organized and allows enough time for work to be completed.

We have a mentor who we are able to seek advice from if needed. We are able to get help with on site jobs and gain experience and feedback from them in order for us to improve in our abilities. I find the support and help really effective as it enables me to understand areas which need improvement and the ways I can improve on them. I find it really helpful.

I am able to go to my manager most of the time to ask questions, claim expenses and book time off etc. This allows me to sort out problems easily and without too much trouble. We are able to get advice from HR if needed by giving them a call, this is helpful if you are having problems that may be beyond your control. There is also IT help available for you to call or message if something were to go wrong with any of your work phones or laptops.

As an apprentice, my salary is really good. Especially for my age. It covers all of my personal and social costs. Our work travel and living costs are covered by the company, we are provided accommodation and meals at the training centre free of charge and our travel expenses can be claimed back.

There are some company events such as career shows that allow you to take part in and gain experience and give advice to the community. There are facilities at the training centre such as a gym, football court and golf course for out of work hours.

Yes

I find that it is a great company to work for as it gives you a lot of experience and opportunities. Not only is it a great job, it is also very interesting.

The application process takes quite a long time from beginning to end, I found it to be quite confusing at times but it all got sorted out before I started. After you get through the initial application process, there is a phone interview and then an assessment day. The phone interview just asks you some questions about your experience and reasons for applying. I found the assessment day really enjoyable as I was able to try some really interesting things such as being taken up in a MEWP to a substation gantry. I found the interview relaxed and laid back, I found it a good chance to talk about my interest with the work and gave me an opportunity to ask some questions and seek advice. It made me want the job even more. Once I had found out that I had been offered a place, I would have wanted more advice on what I would need to do and where I would need to go once I started. However, it is definitely a great company to work for and is definitely worth applying.